The Q

Yeah, Cole said he wants to move into the rotation this year. The thing is, he's probably better off in the pen. His first inning was always his best and his stuff kinda dropped off a little bit after that. Maybe getting stretched out before this season will help him avoid that, but I can't be sure. I think he knows his future is as a closer, but who knows?

Funny note about St. Clair. He told that in HS he didn't even have a curveball and that he dominated with a fastball change up duo. But since he got to college and they gave him a real curve, he's kinda lost the feel of his change. So I'm not worried that he'll get it back. That kid is fantastic and will have ZERO off the field issues.

That quote from that scout is EXACTLY what I expected him to say. Taht's basically how I broke the two down. And the reason he says Miller does it easier is because Price has that funky dip in his motion.

I can't believe they gave it to Price over Arietta to be honest. Even Arencibia and Alvarez have legit cases.

Sorry, Murphy is actually an 07 guy. And so is this other guy I forgot: Pat McAnaney, LHP, Virginia- Pat is a guy who could really shoot up the draft boards. He was the best pitcher in the NECBL this year and has impecable control. Everything he throws is developed and crisp. Fastball 88-91, good curve and a developed change. I think he'll go in the first 5 rounds of 07 if he has a good year this year. Now for my last 2008 guy: Tyson Ross, RHP, California- According to Murph, who faced 6 first rounders this year in Pac 10 play, the best stuff of everyone he faced was either Linscum or Tyson Ross. He has absolutely filthy stuff and is a straight up projectable power pitcher. However, Ross' problem is he has some control issues that really cost him a shot at making Team USA this year. However, I'll be anyone serious cash that this guy is on the team next year.

So does that mean LaPorta officially went back to classes and didn't sign? That would be a damn shame, the Red Sox really needed him in their farm system. No 1B prospects at all. Also, I know Smoak is good, but Pedro Alvarez is the best IMO. He's big, has a great swing, good power, great body, he's quick enough to run a little bit, and can play 3B. And he was the best hitter for TEAM USA this summer. That's some legit competition. Also a couple of 2008 prospects to keep an eye on IMO: Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky- This guy was one of the best pitchers in college baseball last year. He's 89-91 with decent control. But his money pitch is his curve ball. It's as near god damn unhittable as you'll ever see. It's a Bugs Bunny curve. Easily the bestr of all the guys that tried out for Team USA. According to the coaching staff he was the very last guy cut from Team USA, and that was because he had a rough night before that only really was a rough inning because of a couple of errors. Jared Prince, RHP, Wazzu- Accoring to the players it was an upset that this guy didn't make Team USA. He's also an OF but this guy could be a serious power pitcher in the near ftuure. Jim Murphy, 1B, Wazzu- The MVP of the NECBL, Murphy is everything you want in a 1B. He's a huge target at 6'5 and is above average at 1B, although nothing special. But his bat is what gets him on the list. He lead the NECBL in average, 2Bs, OBP, Slugging, BBs, and HBPs. He's got power in the 65-70 range on the scale. Needs a little more work on the breaking ball, but then what kid this age doesnt? He was also 2nd in HRs to Chris Dominguez. Speaking of Mingo.... Chris Dominguez, 3B/OF, Louisville- Dominguez has played 3B during college and in the NECBL but I ahve him listed as an OF as it's my own pro-projection for him. He's big and decently athletic, but his hands are kinda shaky for 3B. Some have said move him to 1B but that takes away his best defensive attribute...that bazooka on the right side of his body that most call his arm. Moving him to LF or RF would be an easy transition for him. About his bat: While Dominguez does struggle to make contact, he did much better the 2nd half of the season (no srurpise since he had to redshirt his freshman year because of a hand injury) and still lead the NECBL in home runs. His power is a legit 80 on the scout scale as he hits balls an totally unheard of distance for a 19 year old with a wooden bat. Jemile Weeks, 2B, Miami- Basically a speed guy with virtually no power, but he'll knock line drives all over the park. He had more power from the right side, but he's never gonna be a real home run threat, but he run like hell. Kinda meh as a fielder though. He's alot like that Tim Moss kid out of Texas, only better at basically everything.

Pardon my ignorance, I'm a Sox fan and know less about the Cubs than you guys, but... 4 pages and nothing about Carlos Lee? I'd call him a pretty big bat. Loretta is a solid #2 guy just because he gets on base at a pretty decent clip. He's also very good around the bag, nice glove. IIRC, Gammons was saying during the season that Toronto actually had alot of interest in Izturis, so I think taht definately would be a realistic option to pursue, although I wouldnt' be shocked to see Julio Lugo end up there either (although I hope he signs with the Sox, even if it's as a CF).

I get what you're sayin about Wieters. I just think he, like Stock, could probably be a top 10 pick doing either. Wieters stuff is so nasty. And he's got a great pitcher's body to build with.

I just know JP isn't anymore because Boras has basically started stalking not only the kid but his mom too. Constantly calling her and begging her for 15 minutes of her time.

Wieters is antoher guy who should be a 2 way player. He's too good not to be. Also, Arencibia won't be represented by Boras he told me. Boras has been after him since his freshman year and he's managed to wiggle away from him. Which means he probably won't have a long hold out. I disagree with some of the stuff I've read that says he'll have to move. He looks pretty good back there to me, at least the best of all the guys on Team USA. So if he's moving, then Clark and Federowicz are done. Cause Arencibia's better than both of them.

Also according to JP, the reason Doolittle didn't throw alot this summer was because his arm was hurt. Now, that means Team USA lost Roemer, Savery and Doolittle and still had a freakishly dominant staff. This is gonna be a great class.

Well Team USA just got back from Cuba victorious with the Gold Medal. Which means they'll have more internet access and I can talk to them, especially Cole and see what's up with Savery. I am currently chatting with Arencibia and he told me he won MVP of the tourney. Stats: 14-32 4 hr's 3 2b's 2 3b's 23 rbi He ended the summer hitting .302 with 9 2Bs 2 3Bs 8 HRs and 37 RBI 11 BBs and 23 Ks. He also told me that Pedro Borbon hit over .500 for the Tourney. Arrieta finally gave up a run vs. Japan. Cole St. Clair and Moskos both only gave up 2 runs over the entire summer. Florida Pitcher (soph) Bryan Augenstein quit the team apparently, which is why Weathers was added to the roster.

Cole seems to think he'll be ok. But he just needed to take the summer off to let it heal.

Savery hurt his shoulder and actually had shoulder surgury this summer (according to Cole) which is why not only is he not playing for Team USA, but also not playing in any summer league period. Also , Roemer was sent home because reached 180 innings for the year, or basically a full major league season for a #5 starter. The dude is a work horse though. He's proven that. Detwiler made Team USA over a guy I really like in the 2008 class (Christian Friedrich), but I agree with your assessment of him. He's long and lanky and really needs to hit trhe weight room and buffet line for him to make it at the next level.

I know they absolutely LOVE Doolittle beacuse he is a wizard at 1B. The team lacks hitters so they've been trying to beef up on defense. I know they've also been playing JP at 1B a fair amoutn as well. His struggles are really hard to explain. It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with him, he's just not getting base hits.

Matsuka will probably end up in either Seattle, New York or Boston. I woudlnt plan on countin on him. Especially considering it will probably cost $20 mil just to earn the right to NEGOTIATE his contract. Gil Meche may love Safeco, but he's also doing it in the highly superior AL. GMs are saying the difference btw the 2 leagues is now something around 1.50 in ERA. So he'd be a pretty solid addition if he's your #3.

I was referring more to the fact that Barney's name came up in this thread before St. Clair's. And St. Clair was basically considered the most likely guy on the entire team to make the Majors (based on the opinions of the players themselves). And here's the thing about Cole. I love him, but after that first inning or two, his stuff really starts to run dry. Maybe he can be stretched out (he has the stuff to do so) but right now he's a super elite closer prospect. Mosko is a lefty, throws 94-97 and has a slider just short of "nasty". That alone should make him a first rounder. I understand your concerns with Roemer. But I'm convinced this kid is legit. He's just got a great feel for pitching. His secondary pitches have really started to come around this summer and he was pretty sick before he had to go home. And yes, I like Cozart alot. he's a real good athlete and has a nice quick bat. I think he's the best middle infielder on Team USA and that says alot considering his double player partner is Jemile Weeks.

I have worked with Team USA during the summer and would like to add a few notes: 1) David Price is the #1 guy right now. He's a stud, who topped out at 98 but does sit at 91-94. He's a good athlete, but the dip in his motion and the fact that he'll whip his arm sometimes is concerning. 2) Cole St. Clair is the best closer prospect in recent memory. He has just been dominant and totally lights out for Team USA. He's big, throws in the mid 90s with good movement, has a nice curve and change too. I saw him pitch vs. the Newport Gulls of the NECBL and he basically ended the game. He came in with the bases loaded and no outs and easily struck out the side. He's also a very nice kid with a good head on his shoulders. Nothing every really bothers him. Same can be said for Price too. But my favorite thing about Cole is his delivery. He's got that crazy leg kick which is in control, but totally deceptive. The ball seems like it's coming out of nowhere. 3) Moskos has to go in the 1st round right now. He's actually closing ahead of St. Clair for Team USA (baffling but true) and he's been pretty dominant. His stuff is up there too. And he's also a lefty. 4) Arencibia is another quality player. He hit over .400 last year for Team USA and was hitting .350 the last time I talked to him, which was right before they were going to Cuba. 5) I'm not high on Todd Frazier or Darwin Barney at all. Frazier has absolutely lead feet and a pretty slow bat. He seemed to get dominated by some of the higher level pitching he was facing. I love Darwin as a person, great kid, but he's so small and lacks power. He's a 2B at the next level and probably has tghe upside of a David Eckstein. 6) Jake Arrietta apparentlly has been unhittable for team USA and has been in the rotation for a while now. 7) I know some of you guys were bashing Wes Roemer, but he's legit. He's usually around 90-92 (more than enough velo for the nex level) but he has THE BEST control of any amateur pitcher in recent memory. He went over 60 innings this past season without giving up a walk. He also has a heavy sinker that misses alot of bats and a hard biting slider. He's just so polished and advanced. Plus he's just a straight up warrior and a top notch athlete (he was an All American XC runner in HS).